CRUISE DESCRIPTION:

.The Grucci’s, world renowned firework artists from Long Island with heritage dating back to 1850 in Bari, Italy will be displaying their talents for the Fundacion Amistad Benefit event at Three Mile Harbor on July 14th. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:00 p.m. and are viewable from your boat throughout the anchorage.

A word of background on why we’re doing this cruise for the third year running. Despite the zero visibility on the trip home in 2005 and the gale force conditions in 2006, we have had a really great time hosting this cruise, that’s why! We will plan on hosting a cocktail party from 1700-1830 on the Twilight Zone to leave time for people to get back and have a nice dinner before the show. We have also arranged for there to be ZERO fog and calm winds this year during the show. There is a new moon as well this year.

Once in Threemile Harbor you can find us easily as we will be flying a giant Duck Flag. The fleet will be anchored in the north end of the harbor. When you get settled in the anchorage please drop by (we’re a blue hulled SabreLine 36 flybridge sedan power boat) and we’ll let you know if anyone has come up with any fun things to do, otherwise it’s just the cocktail party and then fireworks.

There are several transient moorings run by the Threemile Harbor Trustees, marked with a prominent "T" for $75 per night. NOTE THE PRICE INCREASE FROM $25 IN 2005. The Trustee boat monitors CH 73 and also provides pumpouts. The harbormaster monitors VHF 16 or can be reached at 631.329.3078. We will monitor channel "68" and our cell phone is 203-641-4343, but I usually forget to turn it on.

Approaching the Harbor....

The entrance to Three Mile Harbor is 7.5nm on 180 degrees magnetic from Plum Gut. As you approach the channel, the depth drops off significantly outside the channel. There is a Red and White mid channel marker approximately half a mile from the entrance to harbor indicating the channel. Outside the channel near the beaches, the water is approximately 4-5 feet deep. There is a public beach and jetty located on the eastern side of the channel.

As you enter the harbor you will pass through two jetties to access the inner harbor. The channel is extremely narrow with a strong current that will either help or hinder your entrance to the harbor.

Inside The Harbor...

Once inside the jetties you will find that the narrow channel is well marked with red and green buoys. The channel is dredged every few years and can accommodate large vessels. These channel markers are privately maintained from April through November. Last week (mid July) the channel was in good shape when we went over for the weekend.

To access the anchorage you will have to follow the channel deep into the anchorage. There is a large sandbar along the western side of the channel. The sandbar begins approximately half a mile inside the entrance. You will not be able to pass over this sandbar. At the northern point of the sandbar the depth is only a few inches at low tide. In order to access the anchorage area you will need to pass the red "22" marker prior to turning gradually into the western section of the harbor.

We don’t know much about the sponsoring organization (Fundacion Amistad) but we’re assuming they will be raising money as usual! Please bring cash and donate generously when they come around.